Health crisis:
Medical crises impact not only the bodies of those affected, but also their minds, family relationships, finances and, on a more basic level, what they do from day to day. A health crisis requires the coordination of many agencies, sectors and individuals to address the problem and provide people with the resources they need to live healthy lives.
Often, health crisis are the result of large-scale disease outbreaks such as cholera, influenza or a natural disaster. These events can have a devastating effect on communities and weaken the ability of healthcare systems to respond.
Chronic diseases are also a growing threat to global health. Rates of heart disease, cancer and diabetes are rising faster in low- and middle-income countries than in wealthier ones. Poor diets, limited access to clean water and air, and limited physical activity contribute to these increases. If unaddressed, these trends will leave millions of people in health-harming situations and create a timebomb for their futures.
CDC works to promote public health approaches that improve environments where people live, work, learn and play to increase their capacity to thrive. These approaches focus on health equity, which ensures that all groups of people have the opportunity to achieve their highest levels of well-being.
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